Surrounded by a sea of camera crews and reporters outside the court, Ms Aspinall added: “I think we have changed a part of history now - I think that’s the legacy the 96 have left.”

Barry Devonside, who lost his only son Christopher, 18, in the Hillsborough disaster said he had “dreamt” of the moment a jury decided the 96 victims were unlawfully killed.

Mr Devonside, who has attended every day of the inquest, said: “Today we gained the confidence from the jury that what we’ve tried to do for 27 years is to bring justice for those who never went home.”

Christopher Devonside, who was 18 when he was killed at Hillsborough

He added: “I never thought in my wildest dreams that we would get this decision. I always hoped and dreamt that we would get this decision. I’m glad we did. We did our best - we couldn’t do any more.”

He said the conclusions delivered by the jury were “far more than expected”, adding: “I’m so, so pleased.”